We are sure that by now you have read at least one e-mail, bulletin, or industry article which outline the requirements of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standards regarding solid wood packaging materials. These standards are in effect in 138 signatory countries.

Beginning September 16, 2005 the United States has been through two phase-in grace periods and the Phase III effective date is July 5, 2006 because of our Independence Day holiday. Phase III demands that all non-compliant materials will be immediately refused entry into the United States.

The biggest area of concern to U S Hunters are those shipments coming from PH's who do not use an agent or from countries who normally only ship direct to the hunters. Because the hunter has no control in this process he often won't even know that a shipment has been made until it actually shows up.

The carriers are the ones who should be the gatekeepers to ensure the IPPC Logo is permanently and conspicuously stamped on at least two sides of each solid wood crate tendered to them. Unfortunately some airline personnel have not been adequately trained to know what to look for. No longer will paper documents be accepted in lieu of the IPPC marking. Carriers often could not care less if the wooden crate meets the IPPC regulations because they get paid by the US hunter for both the collect freight to the US and the return freight back to its origin, which conveniently, must be made on a freight prepaid basis per IATA regulations.

Hunters really have to take the bull by the horns and insist in contracts, negotiations and face to face meetings with their PH, overseas taxidermist and shipping agents that the IPPC regulations must be met by the overseas packers handling their trophies. Failure to do so will leave them vulnerable for additional cost and possible loss of their animals.

There are specific exceptions for some wood packing materials. The most common one is manufactured wood material known as fiberboard, oriented strand board, plywood and particleboard. We believe that every country has access to manufactured wood such as particleboard - yes it is heavier. It is also sturdier and immediately recognizable by even the most inexperienced personnel as being compliant. We can guarantee that the additional freight cost will be much cheaper than the transit expense back and forth; not to mention the paperwork problems improper marking will cause.

When the Customs and Border Protection/APHIS personnel decide that a shipment does not meet the published IPPC requirements they will issue what is called an EAN (Emergency Action Notice). The hunter will be required to originally sign this document and return it to CBP/A. Customs Brokers should not sign on behalf of their clients as this will make the broker responsible for all costs incurred; which could not be recoverable.

At this time we would like to also advise hunters and their agents that due to the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease on the Africa continent there is an additional requirement that the shipment of dip and pack ruminants are added to the list of swine and non-human primates which must be shipped directly to a USDA Approved Taxidermist for re-treatment before release to the hunter. Lastly, there are no USDA Approved Establishments who can handle treatment of animals coming from European countries affected by BSE (mad cow disease).

Should you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.

Thank you.
Carol

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Guideline for the Importation of Ruminant Trophies
(Hunters are the target audience)

For U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspections Services, Veterinary Services purposes, a trophy is part of the animal carcass that can be used as a remembrance/souvenir of "the hunt" that is suitable for mounting and for personal use only, no further distribution is allowed.

For this guidance document, trophies consist of bones, antlers, skulls, horns and hoofs (with or without bony attachments).

• Leather, tanned, and flint-dried hides and skins are allowed unrestricted entry.


• Unprocessed hides, skins, and horns (without bony attachments) are allowed entry if consigned to an approved establishment.*


• Clean, dry hoofs (without bony attachments) may be imported if they meet USDA requirements for disinfection and are accompanied by a certificate issued by the country of origin.**


• Trophies (bones, antlers, skulls, and horns and hoofs with bony attachments) derived from ruminants originating from regions classified as affected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) are allowed importation into the U.S. provided:

  The trophies (bones, antlers, skulls, and horns and hoofs with bony attachments) are fully taxidermy finished.

  
  

  The trophies (bones, antlers, skulls, and horns and hoofs with bony attachments) are not fully taxidermy finished, but are clean, dry, and free from undried pieces of hide, flesh, and sinew and are offered for consignment to museums.

  
  

  The trophies (bones, antlers, skulls, and horns and hoofs with bony attachments) are not fully taxidermy finished but are clean, dry, and free from undried pieces of hide, flesh, and sinew and are not offered for consignment to museums; are manifested as a trophy and consigned to an approved establishment.*

  
  

• A copy of the hunting license or other documentation that conclusively demonstrates lawful possession of a game animal from the country of origin issued by the foreign government is presented at the U.S. port of entry. The hunting license or other documentation that conclusively demonstrates lawful possession of a game animal from the country of origin shall identify the animal species and correspond to the number of animals harvested.


• Trophies (bones, skulls, and/or attached horns, antlers, and hoofs) derived from ruminants originating from regions classified as free from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) are allowed importation into the U.S. provided:



Trophies (bones, skulls, and/or attached horns, antlers, and hoofs), are allowed unrestricted entry provided the trophies are fully taxidermy finished.




Trophies (bones, skulls, and/or attached horns, antlers, and hoofs) that are not fully taxidermy finished, but are clean, dry, and free from undried pieces of hide, flesh, and sinew and are offered for entry as trophies are allowed entry if consigned to an approved establishment* or if for consignment to museums.




Trophies (bones, skulls, and/or attached horns, antlers, and hoofs) that are not clean, dry, and free from undried pieces of hide, flesh, and sinew and are offered for entry as trophies are allowed entry if for consignment to museums or consigned to an approved establishment* are allowed entry.

*The approved establishment shall handle these trophies in such a manner to guard against the dissemination of anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease, and rinderpest.

**Disinfection includes one of the following methods: (1) dry heat at 180`F (82.2`C) for 30 minutes; (2) soaking in boiling water for 20 minutes; (3) soaking in 0.1% chlorine bleach solution for 2 hours; (4) soaking in a 5% acetic acid solution for 2 hours; (5) soaking in a 5% hydrogen peroxide for 2 hours.

Full taxidermy finished refers to the prepared, stuffed, and/or mounted part of the dead animal for exhibition as completed by a taxidermist.

Carol Rutkowski